Leading the headlines this week is the emergence of a new speakeasy in Old Town.

In the vibrant city of Alexandria, the autumn season has brought a wave of new experiences, including the opening of restaurants, art festivals, and historic tours kicking off in September. One of the most anticipated additions is the Tiki-Speakeasy Bar 86, scheduled to open next month at Cafe du Soleil (215 S. Union Street) in Old Town.

Bar 86, the brainchild of owner Chef Samuel Darlo and consultants Jacob Sunny and Kelvin Sone, promises to offer small-plate exotic flavours from Morocco, France, and Polynesia. The grand opening will be announced on their Instagram, with a rotating seasonal cocktail menu to match the city's lively atmosphere.

Meanwhile, a proposal to build a 275-unit workforce housing multifamily apartment building has been made. The proposed development, from landowner Foulger Pratt and its partner Landmark Holdings LLC, will be on the southwest portion of the WestEnd development. If approved, 80% of the units will be available for between 80% and 120% area median income.

Unfortunately, the week was not without incident. An adult male driving a moped suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash with an SUV on Monday morning (Sept. 1) near Potomac Yard. The driver of the SUV, a silver Honda, stayed at the scene and was charged with reckless driving, according to the Alexandria Police Department. The moped driver was later reported to be in stable condition.

Emergency water main repairs in Alexandria could disrupt service overnight, so residents are advised to stay informed.

As for the most-read stories this week, the SUV driver being charged with reckless driving after the moped rider suffered life-threatening injuries in the Labor Day crash topped the list with 5085 views. The opening of Tiki speakeasy Bar 86 in Alexandria and the proposed 275-unit workforce housing project at the former Landmark Mall site followed closely behind with 10462 and 5870 views, respectively.

The comprehensive listing of events throughout the city includes various fun activities to do. From cultural events to outdoor activities, there's something for everyone in Alexandria this fall. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting developments and events in the city.

Leading the headlines this week is the emergence of a new speakeasy in Old Town.